Illinois school bans "safe zones"

BY Advocate.com Editors

January 15 2003 1:00 AM ET

Members of the Rich Township High School school board in suburban Chicago voted 5-1 Monday to remove multicolor triangles signifying safe zones for gay and lesbian students from more than 100 classroom doors, the Chicago Tribune reports. The vote came after some parents accused the district, which includes schools in Olympia Fields, Richton Park, and Park Forest, of promoting homosexuality and discriminating against nongay students by allowing the triangles. The triangles signify that teachers in designated classrooms are comfortable talking about gay and lesbian issues.

The vote was a blow to many students, according to David Claudon, a language arts teacher who is a sponsor of a gay-straight alliance. "They are very disappointed," he said. "I think one of the things to work through for a few kids is, Does this mean the support is no longer there?"